STAR striker Andy Cole has spoken of his determination to maintain his work for orphan children in Africa after returning from an emotional visit.

The £7million Blackburn Rovers ace used the end-of-season break to see at first hand the work of the charity he set up to ease the plight of homeless youngsters living in poverty in famine-hit Zimbabwe.

He went to the Mbuya Nehanda Children's Home, 45 minutes drive from the country's capital Harare where 120 orphaned youngsters have been given the chance of a new life.

Thanks to the efforts of the Andy Cole Children's Foundation, the home now boasts new dormitories, its own clean water system, toilets and even its own dairy herd to provide the children with fresh milk.

Andy said: "I can see vast improvements since I was last here three years ago. They are getting water tanks and improving the dormitories and it's looking very good.

"I'm very pleased with the way thing are going."

Andy also made an early-morning trip into Harare to visit families forced to live rough on the streets of the capital.

Around the bus station, hundreds of children live under cardboard and plastic sheeting. Just one example of the hardship youngsters must endure was the sight of a four-year-old girl forced to look after her two-year-old sister.

Just over a week ago both of them were diagnosed as having TB.

Clearly moved by what he saw, Andy said: "I always think about my own children. I find it difficult to leave them at home but to come out here and see the kids who haven't got half as much as my children touches me."

The former England ace set up his children's foundation after a visit to Zimbabwe in 1999 to make a TV documentary. Since then, the charity has raised more than £250,000 for projects in Zimbabwe and also in the North West of England.

This was the first time Andy has had the chance to travel to Africa to see how funds are being used. He also used the trip to visit potential new projects that his charity is looking at backing.

Zimbabwe is facing the possibility of the worst famine in a generation after many of the crops failed due to severe drought. An Aids epidemic is also affecting one in four of the population, making the work of the foundation even more vital.

If you would like to make a donation to the foundation either call 0870 751 8305 or write to The Andy Cole Children's Foundation, Freepost, Salford Quays M5 9PP.

Take a look at the Andy Cole Children's Foundation website...